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Ballyragget Water Treatment Plant works due to be completed within next two weeks but drinking restriction for infants under six months remains in place

New treatment processes in operation within the next fortnight

Work to upgrade the water treatment system in Ballyragget is progressing well and Irish Water expects to put the new treatment processes into operation within the next fortnight.

The drinking water restriction remains in place for infants under six months until further notice pending the completion of the works and a subsequent period of testing of the water quality in consultation with the HSE.

Following an increase in the level of nitrates detected in the supply last month, the HSE advised that babies under 6 months of age should not drink water from this supply. This advice remains in place.

Irish Water has been working with Kilkenny County Council to address this issue by installing a specific nitrates treatment process.

Neil Smyth, Water Operations Lead with Irish Water, commented “We are confident that we are making good progress in developing the new treatment process for the Ballyragget water supply scheme which will address the problem of high nitrate levels in the water source. We expect to complete the works on site and begin commissioning of the new equipment within the next two weeks. However, it is important to note that there will then be period of extensive testing and monitoring of the water before the drinking restriction now in place can be lifted.

Any decision to lift the restriction will be taken in consultation with the HSE following a period of clear samples showing without doubt that the water is safe to drink for infants under six months of age. This will take a number of weeks to complete.

Irish Water and Kilkenny County Council fully acknowledge the inconvenience caused as a result of this issue which and we thank customers in the area for their patience as we put this solution in place. In the meantime, we will continue to provide bottled water to any parents who need it. They can contact us at 1850 278 278 to make arrangements for delivery”.

For more information and additional advice, visit our supply and service updates section or call our customer care helpline on 1850 278 278.